Update: ‘Blockbuster sales’ section revised, and image updated.
Kia has substantially expanded its partially electrified vehicle portfolio since the launch of the Niro in 2016. Almost every global Kia SUV is available with a mild-hybrid, full-hybrid, and/or plug-in hybrid system. A Kia Telluride Hybrid could join these semi-electric models next year.
Blockbuster sales
Kia scored a home run with the Telluride in the U.S. In 2019, the year it launched the SUV, it sold 58,604 units. The Telluride was the sixth-highest-selling Kia in the country that year. In 2020, the first full year of sales for the model, the Telluride was the third best-selling Kia, with 75,129 units delivered. In 2021, with 93,705 units sold, the Telluride retained its third rank internally. Fast-forward to 2023, the Telluride enjoyed its best-ever year in the U.S., with sales of 110,765 units.
Kia Telluride Hybrid in the next generation
The Kia Telluride has proved its mettle and worth despite the odds the auto industry has faced in 2020 and 2021. The next step ideally would be to expand its powertrain selection and make it available in a hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid variant. The Hyundai Palisade is rumored to get hybrid versions in its second generation, and it is highly likely that the Kia Telluride, its mechanical cousin, will follow suit.
According to a report ET News published on May 29, 2023, the Palisade Hybrid will have a 2.5-liter gas engine-based powertrain and is scheduled to be released in South Korea in early 2025. More recent developments indicate that the Palisade will get some significant improvements when it enters its second generation, and we feel confident one of the revisions will be electrification, leading to significant improvements in fuel efficiency.
Based on the existing equation between the Palisade and the Telluride, we don’t find it hard to imagine that Kia would adopt hybrid technology for the latter. We think that the first-ever Kia Telluride Hybrid could debut in the second half of 2025.
Currently, the Kia Telluride is only available with the Lambda II 3.8-liter naturally aspirated direct-injection V6 engine that develops 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 262 lb.-ft. of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard and an all-wheel drive system is available optionally. The gas-powered model is easy to drive and offers decent performance, although handling is an area of improvement for the team developing the next-gen Telluride.
The Telluride clearly needs to improve on fuel economy, and hybrid technology can help it overcome this limitation. It currently delivers a combined (EPA-est.) 23 MPG (FWD)/21 MPG (AWD). Another common complaint in the three-row mid-size SUV is that it’s a bit noisy. Hybrid technology will help in this area as well.
EV9: The fully-electrified alternative to Telluride Hybrid prospects
Kia’s current focus is on scaling volumes of its flagship EV, the Kia EV9, which began reaching U.S. dealerships towards the end of last year. The E-GMP-based electric SUV belongs to the same segment as the Telluride and offers better performance and oodles of space, comfort, and convenience. Although it may be significantly more expensive than a potential Telluride Hybrid, it would be cheaper to drive, maintain, and provide significant savings over its lifetime.
TopElectricSUV says
The Telluride presents a formidable option for families in search of a unique mid-size three-row SUV, deviating from the conventional American and Japanese vehicles that have dominated the market for years. Its interior impresses with its superior quality, comfort, technology, and generous space. However, the disappointing fuel economy subtracts from its appeal as a daily driver, leading to higher operating costs. Electrification through a hybrid or plug-in hybrid system can address this concern, and Kia may have a plan to pursue at least one of those options for the Telluride in the future.
I got my Master’s in Business Management & Administration and have been an International Automotive News Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to global motor shows and automotive events, driven various types of vehicles, and focused on hybrid and electric cars in the last 4 years.
